On the recordMarch 31, 2014
I am disappointed that we were unable to come together to permanently repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate formula, and instead passed a 1-year patch to prevent reimbursement cuts for physicians from going into effect in April. The bill the Senate passed tonight averts a 24 percent cut to Medicare payments that would start tomorrow, April 1. Given the potential impact of such a large cut to Medicare patients and to their physicians, I supported this measure. While a patch is not the permanent solution many of us have sought, I voted for it because we must act to prevent these cuts from taking place. Having averted these cuts, I will continue to work for a bipartisan solution to permanently repeal the SGR. I look forward to working with my colleagues to achieve this goal. ____________________
